Printer&#39;s line-up table



Sept. 28 1926. 1,601,461

J. wEsT PRINTERS LINE-.UP TABLE Filed June 10, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 50J3 52 #l J4! s1 z 5 l J0 J8 v vlam I 3 24c v60 8 Patented Sept. 28,1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WEST, F JAMAICA PLAIN, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, IBY-MEBNIASSIGNMENTS, T0 NATIONAL IBINTERS SUPPLY C0., A CORPORATION OF MASSA-CHUSETTS.

PRINTER/S LINE-UP TABLE.

My invention relates to and register tables adapte for inspecting 'proofsheets to determine the alinement thereof, and for lining up blanksheets or preparing strike sheets, etc., and its object is to improveand simplify devices of this kind in the manner hereinafter more fullyset forth.- y

Y My invention comprises a table having a transparent top withilluminating devices arranged under the Same so that proof sheets placedon said table can be inspected for precise alinement, a plurality ofsheet-stops arranged at the forward edge of the table, with each ofwhich stops a sheet gripper is associated, and two alining bars arrangedat right angles to each other and mounted for transverse andlongitudinal movement across the table without change in their angularrelation, one of said bars being disposed parallel to a line connectingthe forward ends of said stops. Preferably the sheet-stops aremaintained in contact with the table by resilient means which co-operatewith the sheet grippers to raise the same above the table, a cam leveror the like being provided for depressing the gripper after a sheet hasbeen placed on the table.

My invention comprises also an arrangement of cams or other suitablemembers whereby each of said bars may be elevated above said table bymoving the same at right angles to its direction of movement across thetable.

A marking device may be mounted on each bar and arranged for movementlongitudinally of the same. means being provided for adjusting suchdevice vertically.

An illustrative embodiment of my invention is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming a part of this speciication in which- Figure 1is a plan view of a printers lineup and register table constructed inaccordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation on p an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation; Fig. 5 is an elevation of theside gage; Fig. 6 is a plan view of said side gage; Fig. 7 is a sideview of my improved combined sheet-stop and gripper;

rinters line-upv Fig. 8 is a plan view of said sheet-stop and gripper;

Fig. 9 is an end view of said combined sheet-stop and gripper;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a marking device that may be used withmy improved line-up table;

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section of said marking device taken onthe line 11--11 of Fig. 10;

.Fig 12 is a plan view of said marking device;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a modified form of said marking device;

f Fig. 14 is a plan view of the marking device shown in Fig, 13. i

In the particular drawings selected for more fully disclosing theprinciple of my invention represents a table having a transparent top 21illuminated from beneath by the electric lamps 22, said' top beingdesigned to receive proof sheets of large size on which are arrangedseries of printed units such as a number of pages of a book which are tobe printed simultaneously and which it is required to place in precisealinement with one another so that when cut and trimmed, the marginaledges of all the pages will be uniform.

Mounted on the channel 23 carried by the framework of the table, are aplurality of combined sheet-stops and rgrippers 24, 24, two such devicesbeing shown in the present instance, and each consisting of a frameformed of the side bars 25, 25, and the top plate 26 secured thereto bythe rivets 27, 27, or other suitable means, said frame conv stituting ahousing for the sheet-stop fin er 28 and the sheet-gripping finger 29,wh1ch are pivotally mounted therein by the stud 30. By means of thespringl 31 or other resilient member the sheet-stop finger 28 isnormally held in contact with the table and the sheet-gripping finger 29held above the same, a cam lever 32 pivotally mounted on the plate 26 bythe stud 33 serving to deress the finger 29 so that the outer endthereof will clamp the sheet to the transparent top.

Depending from the forward ends of said side bars and attached theretoby the rivets 34, 34 is a flange 34 which co-operates with the underside of said channel 23. A plate 35 of spring material is attached tothe rear of said frame by the screws 35 and the lower portion of saidplate which extends below the side bars constitutes a. means for holdingthe said frame rcsiliently against the rear of the channel 23. In thepresent instance the said plate is slit as indicated at 35, 35" and theend portions thereof below the slits are bent outwardly as indicated atdotted lines at 35 (Fig. 8), the said bent portions taking against therearward edge of the channel 23.

The side gage 36 is also mounted for movement longitudinally of saidchannel and comprises the finger 37 pivoted at 38 to the arm 39, whichin turn is swivelled by the stud 40 and screw 41 to the plate 42, to theunder side of which the flange 43 is .attached by the screw 44. a platespring 44 maintaining said plate in engagement with said channel. Thespring 45 co-operating with one side of the arm 39 and having its freeend arranged against a. shoulder 46 maintains said arm in such positionthat the side gage 37 is normal to the line 47 connecting the outer endsof the sheet-stops, and the said spring limits the movement of saidplate in a counter-clockwise direction -while permitting the same to beturned about the stud 40 in the opposite direction. Preferably a platespring 48 attached to the member 39 is employed to maintain the finger37 in contact with the transparent top 21.

It will be noted that the combined sheetstops and grippers and also theside gage are movable longitudinally of the table and that each isaccurately positioned on the channel 23 and is held in resilientengagement therewith. The rear end of the arm 39 is provided with a.pointer 39 co-operating with the scale 39".

The alining bar 49 is arranged parallel to the line 47 connecting theforward ends of the sheet-stops 28. 28 and is provided with meanswhereby it may be moved transversely of the table, such means beingshown in the present instance as gears 50, 50 meshing with the parallelrac-ks 51, 51, said gears being rigidly connected to the shaft 52journaled in the blocks 53, 53 and in the hand-piece 54 mounted on saidalining bar. One end of said alining bar is provided with a. pointer 55arranged to travel over the scale 56.

Obviously the racks and pinions 51` 50 will maintain the straight edgein parallelism with the line 47.

In order to place the straight edge on the proof sheet without crumplingthe edge thereof, it is desirable to elevate said straight edge slightlyabove the top 21 hefore moving the same over the sheet. In the presentinstance I so arrange Amatters that the movement of said alining` bar atright angles to its direction of movement across the table will serveslightly to elevate said bar. l

While various means may be employed for this purpose, I prefer to employa cam arrangement consisting, as shown, in the upright 57 havingl abevelled edge arranged to co-operate with the revel'sely bevclled edge59 formed on the guide member (10, the latter being secured to the blockby the bracket 61. At the opposite end of said alining bar is a somewhatsimilar bracket 62 carrying a cam arranged to (ro-operate with astationary member to elevate that end of the alining bar, the samedistance as the end first mentioned, and it will be noted that suchelevation of said bar is effected without disengaging the pinions fromtheir respective racks.

Arranged at right angles to the bar 49 is a bar 63 provided with ahand-piece 64 and gears 65, 65 rigidly attached to the shaft 66journalled in the bearings 67. 67 and in said hand-piece. said gearsmeshing with the racks 68, 68, whereby said alining bar may be movedlongitudinally of said table without altering its angular relation tothe bar 49. Depending from the journals 67 are brackets 69 carryingflanges 70, the under surface of which is bevelled, as shown at 71, andco-operates with the cam surface 72 so that the movement of said aliningbar at right angles to its direction of movement across the table willelevate said bar without disengaging the pinions 65 from their racks 68.A pointer 67', attached to the liournal 67, is arranged to travel overthe scale 39.

It is to be understood of course that the cam arrangement employed atthe righthand end of the bar 63 is similar to that shown and alreadydescribed in connection with the righthand end of the bar 49. an-d alsothat the cam members at the lefthand end of the bar 49 are similar tothose shown at the lefthand end of the bar 63.

In the use of my improved line-up table a proof-sheet 73 (see Fig. 5) isplaced on the table, and its lefthand end alined against the side guide36, as indicated by the dotted line 74. The forward end thereof ispositioned by the sheet-stops 28, 28 which are normally down against thetable, and then the. sheet is clamped in position by the cam levers 32which force the gripping fingers 29 firmly against the sheet. Thealining bars are then moved across the sheet to determine the alinementof the units printed thereon. p

In the lining-up operation, it is Sometimes desirable to rule straightlines on the proof sheet along the edge of the alining bars. lVhile avariety of marking devices may be employed for this purpose, I prefer amarking device mounted on and slidable along each straight edge, suchdevice being shown Ile form of marker shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12consists of a bevelled wheel 80 of carbon or other suitable markingmaterial rotatably connected to the marker holder by the Screw 81.Within the recess housing the upper portion of the marker wheel is abevelled scraper 82 maintained against said marker by the spring 83whereby the edge of the marking wheel is always maintained sharp andpointed. i

By means of the screw 84 threaded to the carriage and also to the markerholder 79 and provided with the knurled head 84', the vertical positionof the markingwheel may be varied in a manner that will be obvious,longitudinal movement of said screw being prevented by the top plate 79and the collar 79".

An alternative form Otmarking device employing an ink reservoir 85 andan inking wheel 86 is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the ink being suppliedto the wheel by the roller 87 gearedv to the said wheel by the gears 88,88 and receiving its supply of ink by contact with the roller 89.

Having thus described illustrative embodiments of my invention, withouthowever limiting the same thereto, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. A printers line-up table comprising in combinationa transparent top, illuminating means disposed beneath said top, leveractuated sheet-stops and grippers arranged at the forward edge of saidtable, an alining bar disposed parallel to a line connecting the forwardends of said stops, an alining bardisposed at right angles to the barfirst mentioned, and means whereby said bars,

respectiv ely, may be moved transversely and,

longitudinally of said table without change in their angular relation.

2. In a printers line-up table, a combined sheet-stop and grippercomprising a frame, means connecting said frame relatively to said tablefor movement in one direc-tion, two fingers pivotally mounted in saidframe, resilient means normally holding the end ot one of said fingersin contact with said table. and the end of the other of said fingersupwardly therefrom, and lever-operated means for depressing the lastmentioned finger.

3. In a printers line-uptable, an aligning bar, means connecting saidbar relatively to said table for movement in one direction` said meansalso permitting movement of will elevate said bar above said table.

4. In a printers line-up table, an alining bar, means connecting saidbar relatively to said table for movement in one direction, a markingdevice mounted for movement longitudinally of said alining bar, andmeans for adjusting said marking device vertically.

5. A printers line-up table comprising in combination a transparent top,illuminating means arranged beneath said top, sheetstops arranged at theforward edge of said table, an aligning bar disposed parallel to a lineconnecting the forward ends of said stops, means connecting said barrelatively to said table for movement in one direction, racks arrangedin parallel relation on opposite sides of said top, and pinionsassociated with said bar and engaging said racks.

6. A printers line-up table comprising in combination a transparent top,illuminating means disposed beneath said top, sheet-stops arranged atthe forward edge of said table, an aligning bar disposed parallel to aline connecting the forward ends of said stops, an aligning bar disposedat right angles to the first mentioned bar, means connecting one of saidaligning bars res ectively to said table for movement in one irection,means connecting the oth of said aligning bars relatively to said ta lefor movement in the direction at right angles to that of the firstmentioned Y aligning bar, a pair of racks mounted on opposite sides ofsaid tops, a second pair of racks mounted on the opposite ends of saidtops, and pinions associated with said bars, respectively, and eachengaging one of said pairs of racks.

7 In a printers line-up table, an aligning bar, means connecting' saidbar relatively to said table for movement in one direction, said meansalso permitting movement of said bar at right angles to said direction,a pair of racks disposed on the opposite edgesl of said table, pinionsassociated with said aligning bar and engaging said racks and meanswhereby the movement of said bar at right angles to the first-mentioneddirection of movement with respect to the table will elevate said barabove said table without disengaging said pinions from said racks.

8. In a printers line-up table, an aligning bar, means connecting saidbar relatively to said table for movementin one direction, said meansvalso permitting relative movement of said bar at right angles to saiddirection, cam surfaces secured, respectively, to the ends of said bar,and co-operating cam surfaces attached to said table whereby themovement of said bar in the direction of its length will cause' the camsurfaces attached to said bar to ride up over the cam surfaces attachedto said table.

9. In a printers line-uptable, a side gage support, means connectingsaid support relative] to said table for movement in one direction, anda side gage 'swivelled `to said support.

l0. In a printers line-up table, a side gage support, means connectingsaid support re1- atively1 to said table for movement inone direction, aside gage pivotally connected to said support and a resilient memberco-operating with said support and said gage whereby said gage isnormally maintained in operative posltion and may be rotated withrespect to its support to, and held in, inoperative position.

11. In a printers line-up table, an aligning bar, means connecting saidbar relatively to said table for movement in one direction, a pair ofracks disposed on the opposite edges of said table, pinions associatedwith said aligning bar and engaging said racks, and means whereby saidVbar may be elevated above said table Without disengaging said pinionsfrom said racks.

12. In a printers line-up table an aligning bar, means connecting saidbar relatively to said table for movement in one direction, a pair ofracks disposed on the opposite edges of said table, pinions associatedwith said aligning bar and engaging said racks, and cams for elevatingsaid bar above said table Without disengaging said pinions from saidracks.

In testimony whereof I have aixed my signature.

JAMES WEST.

